noun

mastermind

MAH-stuh-muh-ihnd

noun

A person of exceptional intelligence, especially one who plans something complex.

"Police believe he was the mastermind behind the entire scheme."

verb

To plan and direct a complicated scheme or operation.

"She masterminded the company's entire rebranding strategy."

How to Use Mastermind

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishThe brilliant (often behind-the-scenes) planner of a complex operation, or the act of planning one.

Common pairings

criminal mastermind mastermind a plot mastermind behind

masterminded past tense, masterminds plural, masterminds singular

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Can you complete this real example?

Police believe he was the _____ behind the entire scheme.

From master plus mind.

nevermind